Report from Ireland Branch Annual General Meeting and AGM Lecture

Today was the Annual General Meeting of the Ireland Branch followed by its AGM Annual Lecture.

The AGM went smoothly. All the usual reports were made, along with thanks given to all who volunteered over the previous year. Their help and commitment is what makes the Branch and its activities such a great success. Here is a link to the various reports: the Secretary’s Report, the Treasurer’s Report and the Chairperson’s Report.

The same committee as last year was elected. The one change was that Alison Morris (Roe) decided not to go forward. Alison’s contribution to the running of the Branch was acknowledged by the Branch chairperson, Claire Bradley, and thanks was given on behalf of members.

In her report, Branch Chairperson, Claire Bradley, noted that while last year had been a year of great celebration for the Society – the 80th anniversary of its founding in September 1936 – this year would also be one of note for the Society’s Ireland Branch.

Minutes of the Ireland Branch’s first committee meeting, 8 December 1967.

The year 2017 marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Ireland Branch of the Irish Genealogical Research Society. The inaugural meeting was held in the offices of the Irish Manuscripts Society, 73 Merrion Square, on Friday, 8th December 1967. Claire indicated that an appropriate way to celebrate this important milestone for the Ireland Branch would be announced in the coming weeks. The image – to the right – is a scan of the brief minutes of that first meeting, along with a list of those who attended. The list includes many well known names from the world of Irish genealogy half a century ago!

Following the AGM, archivist at the Loreto Sisters, Áine McHugh, spoke about the Order’s archives and their use to genealogists and family historians. She particularly drew attention to early school account books, which often include vital biographical clues about students. After this, one of Áine’s former colleagues, Karen de Lacy, gave an illustrated example of how the Order’s archives, in conjunction with other material, was used to trace the history of the fascinating Joynt family of Mother Gonzaga Joynt, IBVM, (1838-1928).

The next event for the Ireland Branch will be its Annual Genealogy Open Day. Full details of the talks can be found here.